Martin Charnin

Martin Charnin (born November 24, 1934) is an American lyricist, writer, and theatre director. Charnin's best-known work is as conceiver, director and lyricist for the hit musical Annie.

Born in Washington Heights in New York City, he attended Music & Art High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and graduated from Cooper Union. Charnin began his theatrical career as a performer, appearing as one of the Jets in the original production of West Side Story. His first assignment as a lyricist was Hot Spot (1963), with music by Mary Rodgers. He has directed and produced numerous nightclub acts for Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson and Mary Travers. In 1972, he conceived, produced, wrote and directed several television variety specials. And in 1972, he won two primetime Emmy Awards for S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Gershwin, a variety television special that starred Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire. He also directed and produced various television specials "Get Happy" and "Dames at Sea." He made his stage directing debut with Nash at Nine, a 1973 revue he conceived (based on the works of Ogden Nash and starring E.G. Marshall). He has written and collaborated with Charles Strouse, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers and Mary Rodgers. In 1974, he supplied music and lyrics to the hit "The Best Thing You've Ever Done", sung by Barbra Streisand on her album The Way We Were and Maman.

Works

Stage

• Kaleidoscope (1957)
• Fallout Revue (1959)
• The Girls...... ...
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